Category: Encouragement

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And the Winner Is…

We all like to win. I was never very athletic so I would cheer from the sidelines, encouraging those who were competing.

But I know now that I am a winner and I’m cheering for you.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT

Those who have gone before us in this life of faith are cheering us on. Their lives are examples of encouragement of what God will do in the lives of common, ordinary people.

Do you realize Jesus considered Himself a winner when He endured the cross?

“In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.” Colossians 2:15 NLT

He did this for all of us.

“ My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.” I John 2:1-2 NLT

When our lives are committed to Christ we participate in His victory.

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 2 We know we love God’s children if we love God and obey his commandments. 3 Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome. 4 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:1-5 NLT

We are destined to be winners – victorious – overcomers.

“ We thank God for the power Christ has given us. He leads us and makes us win in everything. He speaks through us wherever we go. The Good News is like a sweet smell to those who hear it.” II Corinthians 2:14 NLV

God uses us to be a voice for Christ in the world telling the Good News of His love, forgiveness and victory.

“ But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” I Corinthians 15:57 NKJV

“ Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 NKJV

Better than winning the lotto or anything else is the victory we have in Christ. And the winner is…US!

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Touched with Compassion

Reading the news, watching the world condition, life can cause anxiety and distress.

I’m a hugger. Not those little pat on the back kind of hugs. I like to embrace someone and let them know they are loved. Jesus called it being moved with compassion.

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 KJV

These words following are the writing of the Apostle Paul. He ministered to so many people. Some hated him fiercely and others were drawn to him and his message. Feel his compassion.

“Don’t be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else.16 Always be joyful 17 and never stop praying. 18 Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ. This is what God wants you to do.19 Don’t turn away God’s Spirit 20 or ignore prophecies. 21 Put everything to the test. Accept what is good 22 and don’t have anything to do with evil. 23 I pray that God, who gives peace, will make you completely holy. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept healthy and faultless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 24 The one who chose you can be trusted, and he will do this.” I Thessalonians 5:15-24 CEV

Through these words the Lord is calling us to reach out to others. Embrace them with His love and goodness. Speak words of encouragement, pray for them, lend a hand.

“Do your best to improve your faith by adding goodness, understanding, self-control, patience, devotion to God, concern for others, and love. If you keep growing in this way, it will show that what you know about our Lord Jesus Christ has made your lives useful and meaningful.” II Peter 1:5-8 CEV

The One who chose you can be trusted! Amen!

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Answer to Weariness

Didn’t sleep well last night? Too many dreams, noisy neighborhood, the dogs were barking or the coyotes howling?

You want to know how to turn the tide on fatigue and grumpiness this morning?

“Everyone, clap your hands. Shout with joy to God! 2 The Lord Most High is awesome.” Psalm 47:1-2 ERV

Don’t let the things that go bump in the night affect your day. Listen to the song of the birds – see the beauty in the sunrise and praise the Lord for the opportunity of the day ahead.

“I praise you, Lord God, with all my heart. You are glorious and majestic, dressed in royal robes 2 and surrounded by light. You spread out the sky like a tent, 3 and you built your home over the mighty ocean. The clouds are your chariot with the wind as its wings… 10 You provide streams of water in the hills and valleys, 11 so that the donkeys and other wild animals can satisfy their thirst.12 Birds build their nests nearby and sing in the trees…33 As long as I live, I will sing and praise you, the Lord God. 34 I hope my thoughts will please you, because you are the one who makes me glad.” Psalm 104: 1-3, 10-12, 33-34 CEV

I’m writing to myself this morning. It’s been a long week and my energy level is low. But I’ll be singing with the birds – as soon as they get up!

I know I have told you before but the birds are my morning reminder to praise. There was a time when Dave and I had very little money. My grocery budget was $20 a week for a family of 4. I know, it was definitely a struggle but that’s when I learned first-hand of the Lord’s faithfulness. He ministered these words to my heart and I’ve never forgotten the lesson.

“ I tell you not to worry about your life. Don’t worry about having something to eat, drink, or wear. Isn’t life more than food or clothing? 26 Look at the birds in the sky! They don’t plant or harvest. They don’t even store grain in barns. Yet your Father in heaven takes care of them. Aren’t you worth much more than birds?” Matthew 6:25-26 CEV

Each morning the birds start their day with a song. In my imagination, I hear it as a song of praise. “Thank you Father for the bugs and the seeds. Thank you my nest in the trees. Thank you for the air that I fly in. Thank you for taking care of me”.

Find a reason to sing this morning and sing loudly! God loves you and He has a wonderful day planned for you!

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Up for a Chariot Ride?

Are you looking to be set-up by God today? You know, those “chance” meetings, wondering about people you used to be close with, just being in the right place at the right time.

God’s set-ups!

Philip was open to God using him. When Saul started persecuting the Chrisitans in Jerusalem, Philip went to Samaria to preach there. Then one day the Lord told him to go south of Jerusalem on the road to Gaza. Philip obeyed.

There he met a high official in Egypt’s political system. The man was reading the book of Isaiah but didn’t really understand what he was reading.

“The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ 30 So he went toward the chariot, and he heard the man reading from Isaiah the prophet. Philip asked him, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’

31 The man answered, ‘How can I understand? I need someone to explain it to me.’ Then he invited Philip to climb in and sit with him… The official said to Philip, ‘Please, tell me, who is the prophet talking about? Is he talking about himself or about someone else?’ 35 Philip began to speak. He started with this same Scripture and told the man the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:29-35 ERV

There are people all around us waiting for someone to be their Philip. We need to slow down from our own demanding schedules and allow the Lord to direct us to them.

It might be as simple as giving someone a smile and a God bless you. It might be asking someone how they are doing and really listening to their answer. Philip was listening, he heard the man and then he asked a question.

It’s the Father’s job to prepare hearts but it’s our job to be prepared to be obedient when He calls on us.

“Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.” I Peter 3:15 CEV

” I pray God will make you ready to obey him and that you will always be eager to do right. May Jesus help you do what pleases God. To Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 CEV

Are any of you praying for the Lord to send someone to minister to your children or a dear friend? What if that person is too busy? Maybe we are the answer to someone’s prayer? Are we ready?

When we take time to listen to the Father, we will be the answer to someone’s prayer! It may involve a ride in a chariot.

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Mercy – A Life Changer

There’s an old song we used to sing and this morning it came to mind once again and has filled my morning quiet time.

“Mercy rewrote my life. Mercy rewrote my life. I could have fallen, my soul cast down But mercy rewrote my life”.

Oh yes, thank you heavenly Father for Your mercy!

“You know that the Lord your God is the only true God. So love him and obey his commands, and he will faithfully keep his agreement with you and your descendants for a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9 CEV

This is a promise from God’s heart to ours. He faithfully keeps His agreement with us.

Simply put, mercy can be defined as being protected from judgement for the things we have done that deserve punishment. One of my favorite “mercy” verses is found in the book of Lamentations.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, ‘The Lord is all I need; I can depend on him!’” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

If there’s anyone in the Bible that knows about mercy, it’s the Apostle Paul. He carried arrest warrants for Christians. He was responsible for their imprisonment and even their deaths.

But, mercy rewrote His life.

” In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. 2 You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. 3 Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else.

4-5 But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God’s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. 6 God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven.” Ephesians 2:1-6 CEV

The worst of sinners became the man that God used to teach us all the message of grace and forgiveness.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. ‘This saying is true, and it can be trusted. I was the worst sinner of all!‘ 16 But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life.” I Timothy 1:15-16 CEV

When we fail, and we do. When we feel we are undeserving of forgiveness mercy steps in. God’s love covers our sins, completely!

“The Lord is merciful! He is kind and patient, and his love never fails.” Psalm 103:8 CEV

That’s what makes my heart sing – “Mercy rewrote my life”!

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Oh Eeyore!

The Lord is still impressing me to stay on this subject of looking up. Maybe it’s not for you but maybe for someone close to you.

Do you ever have one of those days when you just feel down and you don’t know why? I am glad to say that really doesn’t happen much in my life but it used too. It was a real battle to stay “up” and see the blessings that surrounded me.

About 30 years ago the Lord began to use the characters in the Winnie the Pooh stories to help me identify people according to their personalities. Our son is definitely a Tigger; our oldest daughter is Rabbit; our youngest is Pooh; my husband is Owl and I’m, well, I’m Kanga. You get the picture. But then there are those who are Eeyore’s – always gloomy. An Eeyore is always walking around with their head down, eyes down, looking for the worst and finding it. Eeyore needs to change his focus – he needs to look up and consider Someone bigger than himself.

This morning, I really felt the Lord wanted me to share Psalm 42 with you and as I read it, I thought, “Lord, did I hear you right? This is a good Psalm but what does it have to do with “looking up”, with keeping our focus on you?” And there it was!! You can always trust God.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5

Why are we cast down, o my soul? Why is our focus downward and not looking up? Why are we discouraged? We aren’t putting our hope in God, we aren’t looking up. When we do, we will praise God and praising God will improve our countenance – both our inward and external appearance. God always knows what He’s talking about.

So, consider our soul today and ask it this question – are we looking up? Hope in God!

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God…5 Why am I discouraged? (Why are you cast down) Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, 6 and you are my God. I am deeply discouraged (I am cast down) as I think about you from where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon and from Mount Mizar. 7 Your vicious waves have swept over me like an angry ocean or a roaring waterfall. 8 Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living LORD God. 9 You are my mighty rock. Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? 10 Even my bones are in pain, while all day long my enemies sneer and ask, “Where is your God?” 11 Why am I discouraged? (Why are you cast down) Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42 CEV

There is no condemnation in being discouraged. We can be honest with ourselves and with God. He can handle it. But don’t let discouragement rule! Praise the Lord again and again – He is our help!

Stay thirsty for the Lord!

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Keep Looking Up

Yes, one more message on looking up! Why? Because that’s what the Lord said for me to do. This is a message I’ve shared before, but it bears repeating.

I want to draw your attention to a time when Jesus “looked up”. Jesus had left the area of Judea just days earlier because the Pharisees were trying to kill him. And now he learned that his dear friend Lazarus was very sick. He told his disciples that they needed to return to Bethany and they reminded him that the people in that area were against him.

Jesus waited a couple more days and then he told the disciples we MUST go to Bethany, Lazarus is dead. When Jesus arrived he learned that Lazarus had already been in the grave four days. Martha came out to meet Jesus and told him if Jesus had been there she knew her brother would not be dead.

So, do you get the picture? Jesus is grieving over the death of his dear friend. He is just a two mile walk from a town where a mob had tried to kill him just a few days ago and now his friend’s sister is blaming him for her brother’s death. WOW!

The story goes on from there. Lazarus’ other sister, Mary, and the mourners came to where Jesus is. Mary falls at Jesus’ feet and says the same thing, “If you had been here my brother wouldn’t have died.” And now comes the shortest verse in the Bible – Jesus wept.

I think he wept because he felt the grief of the loss of a friend; I think he wept because he was being blamed for that death; I think he wept because the people around him had no faith and hope. But he wept. And then he did something that we all need to do – He looked UP!

“Jesus was still terribly upset.,, 41 After the stone had been rolled aside, Jesus looked up toward heaven and prayed, ‘Father, I thank you for answering my prayer. 42 I know that you always answer my prayers. But I said this, so that the people here would believe that you sent me.” John 11:38-42 CEV

He looked up to the Father – he reminded Himself that God the Father had not abandon Him and that even in His grief, the Father was there to bring victory to the situation. He looked up and he thanked the Father for answered prayer. He knew the purpose of all of this was that the people would believe!

His words, “Lazarus, come forth” brought the power of God to the situation and Lazarus came walking out of the tomb! Awesome!

A kind and loving God brought an end to grieving and despair. He brought life to Lazarus and life to the hope and faith of the people who were there. He can and will still do the same today.

What is it in your life that is dead and needs to be resurrected? Your hope? Your faith? Your health? Your marriage? Your joy? Your finances? What???

Look up to the one who has life giving power – look up and thank Him for resurrection and then be bold like Jesus and call it forth from the grave. You notice Jesus didn’t agree with the things that Mary, Martha and the people were saying.

He was focused on looking up – we need to do the same!

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A Place of Help & Hope

As a child I used to look up in amazement when planes flew over. They were a completely new phenomenon to me. I wondered where they were going and how they could possibly stay in the air. To a four-year-old it was a miracle.

We are told to lift up our heads in the Bible. But that doesn’t mean to turn our heads up, it is an attitude of the heart. This was an attitude that King David took. Turn our focus heavenward. Looking up is looking beyond ourselves and looking to someone higher, looking to God the Father.

“ Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.” Psalm 24:8-10

Are you looking up today? Are you looking beyond yourself and finding God’s directive on how you should function today? It’s easy to get discouraged and even depressed with all the world’s happenings and Jesus knew that these days and times we are living in would be taxing to our mental peace at the very least so He gave us this command.

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28

So many things around us are in turmoil. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, weather disruptions, political unrest, bias, hatred, financial uncertainty, relationships failing. All of these things wear on us emotionally, physically and spiritually.

The prophet Isaiah had this vision from the Lord.

“I saw the Lord sitting on a very high and wonderful throne. His long robe filled the Temple. 2 Seraph angels stood around him. Each angel had six wings. They used two wings to cover their faces, two wings to cover their bodies, and two wings to fly. 3 The angels were calling to each other, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord All-Powerful. His Glory fills the whole earth.‘” Isaiah 6:1-3 ERV

The Lord is still on His throne. He is still in control and we can trust Him! God is not taken by surprise, and He has a plan for our good.

Don’t let your heart fail or become fearful – lift up your head for your Redeemer (redemption) draws near!

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God’s Good Plans

Every building begins with a blueprint. From the smallest “tiny house” to the most intricate homes and palaces there is a plan to follow. A good plan.

And of course, in designing the construction of our lives God has a good plan.

“Do you not know that your body is a house of God where the Holy Spirit lives? God gave you His Holy Spirit. Now you belong to God. You do not belong to yourselves. God bought you with a great price. So honor God with your body. You belong to Him.” I Corinthians 6:19-20 NLV

“ For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being and not for trouble, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will look for Me and find Me, when you look for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 NLV

The Lord is the master designer and architect. He created the earth and all that’s in it. It is a synchronized, master design. The days, the seasons, the ebb and flow of the tides all work together to support the balance of life on earth.

His design work can be seen in His instruction for building the tabernacle in the desert. The floor plan, the gold work, the bronze, the dyed skins and woven linens. A massive design.

Then take a look at our human bodies. The cells, the immune system that fights disease, the organs, our master computer – the brain, our circulatory and digestive systems, none of these occurred by happenstance. There was and is a master designer who has good plans.

So, why do we think that, if our heavenly Father went through all the thought and design to make things work so well, He would leave us to figure out our daily living and purpose without instruction? That’s foolish thinking.

I found myself reading and rereading two different chapters this morning, Psalm 34 and Proverbs 4. There is so much to absorb and apply in these verses. Please take time to read them.

“ I looked for the Lord, and He answered me. And He took away all my fears. 5 They looked to Him and their faces shined with joy. Their faces will never be ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. And He saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear Him, and He takes them out of trouble. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who trusts in Him! ” Psalm 34:4-8 NLV

“10 The young lions suffer want and hunger. But they who look for the Lord will not be without any good thing. 11 Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of the Lord. ” Psalm 34:10-11 NLV

“My son, listen to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them leave your eyes. Keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body. 23 Keep your heart pure for out of it are the important things of life...  26 Watch the path of your feet, and all your ways will be sure.” Proverbs 4:20-23 NLV

God, our Father and master designer, has grand plans for our lives!

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The Lord’s Battle

Mondays – new adventures, new challenges, new victories!

“These are the proverbs of King Solomon of Israel, the son of David. 2 Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control and how to understand sayings with deep meanings.3 You will learn what is right and honest and fair. 4 From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense. 5 If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand 6 proverbs and sayings, as well as words of wisdom and all kinds of riddles. 7 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.” Proverbs 1:1-7 CEV

Very good advice for daily living – Respect and obey the Lord. This is the beginning of wisdom – trusting His word, drawing on His strength, looking at things His way brings us to victory.

Moses was being attacked by the Amalekites and so he told Joshua to get some soldiers ready for the fight. These men were not seasoned soldiers, they had been slaves making bricks for the last 400 years. They were strong but not trained soldiers. But they prepared for battle as Moses said.

Moses, Aaron and Hur were up on the hilltop watching the battle. As Moses held up his arms with the rod that the Lord gave him, the Israelites were victorious. As he grew weary his arms began to drop lower and lower. When this happened the Amalekites gained the advantage. So Aaron and Hur got Moses a large rock to sit on and they held up his arms until Joshua was completely victorious.

Now where was the logic in that? It wasn’t logic it was obedience! Obedience comes from respecting the Lord – that’s wisdom.

” Moses built an altar and named it ‘The Lord Gives Me Victory.’ 16 Then Moses explained, ‘This is because I depended on the Lord.'” Exodus 17:15-16 CEV

Joshua, the leader of that battle, was about to face a battle of his own at the city of Jericho. He encountered the Lord and this is what the Lord said.

“When Joshua was by Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing near him with his sword in his hand. Joshua went to him and said, “Are you for us or for those who hate us?” 14 “No,” He said, “I have now come as Captain of the army of the Lord.” Joshua fell on his face to the ground and worshiped, and said to Him, “What has my Lord to say to His servant?” Joshua 5:13-14 NLV

Joshua laid aside conventional wisdom and followed the Lord’s instruction. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today you may have battles but you have also been given the victory! Trust what the Lord is saying to your heart and obey. It’s the Lord who gives the victory!

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